Hotel Baia Azzurra — Hotel in Taormina

The expectations were set high, thanks to those positive reviews. But it appears the reviewers were residing in an alternate dimension because this place was nothing short of a disaster! It's not often when I feel a sense of relief when checking out...

Let's talk about the air conditioning, or should I say, the lack thereof. It was a sizzling heat wave, and you would expect a 4-star hotel to provide some relief from the scorching temperatures. But no, that would be asking too much! The AC was as useful as a chocolate teapot, leaving you to roast in your own juices at 30 degrees. Not only that, it was also rattling like a broken washing machine. And good luck trying to address this issue with the reception, who seemed to be experts in the art of sarcasm and deflection. On multiple calls their excuse was that they don't speak English and hang up! Reception doesn't speak basic English in an international 4 star hotel?!

Now to the building itself! A poorly maintained relic and showing all the signs of neglect. Crumbling plasterboard walls, questionable wiring, rubbed off paint... How they managed to muster up 4 stars is beyond comprehension. Perhaps by exploiting the gorgeous Italian nature? I dare say it's a 2-star motel at best. And don't even get me started on the so-called "facilities." No pool, no spa, no private beach, no entertainment, not even a working AC. Everything else that is there needs extra payment, like their parking (10€/day), which requires a masterclass in off-road driving to get there. Oh, the regular noise of passing trains is free!

As for the pricing, well, it’s a scam! A little booking mistake led to a jaw-dropping 70€ surcharge per night to change occupancy from single to double in a double room (without breakfast). How can this be justified when the same room on Agoda (same date, 2ppl) was 100€? And don't bother mentioning their so-called "price guarantee" on the hotel's web site – they probably laugh at that behind closed doors while ripping you off.

And what about breakfast? If not included, that'll set you back a cool 25€. They must think their continental breakfast is fit for kings, but in reality, it's pretty pitiful. Rotten fruit, anyone? Yum!(see photos) I have also seen a small handful of people dining at the hotel (apparently they have a package with dinner) but diners looked tired and unexcited. Lets hope it's the heat.

Sure, the location might be somewhat decent, but that's if you're content with sitting on the beach all day, shelling out a small fortune for sunbeds in a local Lido (35€ pp). Otherwise, you'll find yourself isolated with no decent food options or sightseeing opportunities (Bella island is one exception). If you crave a glimpse of Taormina's posh side, be prepared for a 30-minute queue for the cable car for 6€ return. I suggest you consider booking something up the hill.

In summary, if you want to live in an overpriced and underwhelming hotel with suffocating rooms - stay in Baia Azzurra.

PS. Agoda repeatedly blocked this review from being posted on their platform, so that explains why the...

Been there with my girlfriend to celebrate the new year. We checked in at around 18:00 and we find all windows of the room wide open which made the room temperature be the same as the one outside. We try to call the reception but the phone of the room wasn't working so I had to go downstairs to the hall and ask them if they could do something about the temperature. They ask me to wait and after approximately 15/20 minutes the lady at the reception came upstairs and turned on what she called "central heating" that only her could operate as the switch was half broken. Went out for dinner at around 20:30 and came back after 00:00 only to discover that the "central heating" was blowing air without it being heated. So the room was freezing and we had to turn off the heating as it was only making it worst blowing air ( dirty air as the grill and so the pipe was full of dust ) on the bed. The hotel is old, the room dirty, blinds are almost antique from how old them are, windows are also very old and this allows cold air to come in. The bed frame was all pealed off (old fake leather) The toilet had a very old window with a huge hole in the glass that they repaired with silicon. When I open the pipe, water splashed all over the bathroom and all over me due to air in the system I guess. ( When the lady came to turn on the "central heating" she came in the room with dirty shoes and walking on the water she left the place in a mess and covered in mud. Didn't even try to clean ) The water from the bathroom was coming out so dirty it was leaving chunks of dirt in the sink ( try to brush your teeth with that water ) disgusting. All in all, terrible experience. From the pictures on their website it looked fine, don't let them fool you. They call it a 4 stars hotel and I wonder who assigned that to them. It reminds me of those cheap hostels we used to travel to when we where kids and with no money. What save them is the location which attracts people to book their place without knowing that is a terrible place to spend one night in, can't even imagine spending a all weekend there. AVOID...

Looking forward to a weekend away, then probably best avoid this hotel.|The highlight of the hotel is the view and location, very close to the cable car to the nice area of the town.|Beaches are nice with amazing views, but at the end of the day you have to return to the box room.|The website photos only show the nice rooms at the front of the hotel and the beaches they overlook, what it doesn't show you is the naughty corner at the back of the hotel, the dreaded room 310....||As you can see from the photos you have an amazing view of the fire escape, once you have found your way to the secluded corner of the room to open and peer out of the windows.|Also you should notice the TV in the room, it's the black box next to the wardrobe, blink and you will miss it.||Breakfast might as well be first come first serve, eggs were cold and the bacon was no existence but the staff were very freindly.||All being said the views are amazing and makes you want to get out of the box room and explore the amazing town and landscape.||Rooms 1 |Very outdated room, screen on an airplane felt bigger than the TV.|WiFi is touch and go.|Very small space and no natural light. Bathroom has no lock, shower is tiny and trickles out.|If you want to run a bath best start it in the morning ready for lunchtime.||Food and drinks 2|Only had breakfast and was cold all 3 mornings of our stay, best get up and book an early slot otherwise you are picking up the scraps after the first 2 Services.|Drinks are nice but feels awkward having to walk to reception to have to pay for them.||Hotel view 5|Great view from the reception area or on the...